Cast Types and Care Instructions

A cast holds a broken bone in place as it heals. Casts also help to prevent or decrease muscle contractions, and are effective at providing immobilization, especially after surgery.

Casts immobilize the joint above and the joint below the area that is to be kept straight and without motion. For example, a child with a forearm fracture will have a long arm cast to immobilize the wrist and elbow joints.

What are casts made of?

The outside, or hard part of the cast, is made from two different kinds of casting materials.

Plaster (white in color)

Fiberglass (comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs)

Cotton and other synthetic materials are used to line the inside of the cast to make it soft and to provide padding around bony areas, such as the wrist or elbow.

Special waterproof cast liners may be used under a fiberglass cast, allowing the child to get the cast wet. Talk with your child's healthcare provider for special cast care instructions for this type of cast.

What are the different types of casts?

Below is a description of the various types of casts, the location of the body they are applied, and their general function.

Type of cast

Location

Uses

Short arm cast

Applied below the elbow to the hand.

Forearm or wrist fractures. Also used to hold the forearm or wrist muscles and tendons in place after surgery.

Long arm cast

Applied from the upper arm to the hand.

Upper arm, elbow, or forearm fractures. Also used to hold the arm or elbow muscles and tendons in place after surgery.

Arm cylinder cast

Applied from the upper arm to the wrist.

To hold the elbow muscles and tendons in place after a dislocation or surgery.

Type of cast

Location

Uses

Shoulder spica cast

Applied around the trunk of the body to the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Shoulder dislocations or after surgery on the shoulder area.

Minerva cast

Applied around the neck and trunk of the body.

After surgery on the neck or upper back area.

Short leg cast

Applied to the area below the knee to the foot.

Lower leg fractures, severe ankle sprains and strains, or fractures. Also used to hold the leg or foot muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Leg cylinder cast

Applied from the upper thigh to the ankle.

Knee, or lower leg fractures, knee dislocations, or after surgery on the leg or knee area.

Type of cast

Location

Uses

Unilateral hip spica cast

Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg.

Thigh fractures. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

One and one-half hip spica cast

Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg to the knee of the other leg. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized.

Thigh fracture. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Bilateral long leg hip spica cast

Applied from the chest to the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized.

Pelvis, hip, or thigh fractures. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Type of cast

Location

Uses

Short leg hip spica cast

Applied from the chest to the thighs or knees.

To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Type of cast

Location

Uses

Abduction boot cast

Applied from the upper thighs to the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs immobilized.

To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

How can my child move around while in a cast?

Assistive devices for children with casts include:

Crutches

Walkers

Wagons

Wheelchairs

Reclining wheelchairs

Cast care instructions

Keep the cast clean and dry.

Check for cracks or breaks in the cast.

Rough edges can be padded to protect the skin from scratches.

Don't scratch the skin under the cast by putting objects inside the cast.

Can use a hairdryer placed on a cool setting to blow air under the cast and cool down the hot, itchy skin. Never blow warm or hot air into the cast.

Don't put powders or lotion inside the cast.

Cover the cast while your child is eating to prevent food spills and crumbs from entering the cast.

Prevent small toys or objects from being put inside the cast.

Raise the cast above heart level to decrease swelling.

Encourage your child to move his or her fingers or toes to promote circulation.

Don't use the abduction bar on the cast to lift or carry the child.

Older children with body casts may need to use a bedpan or urinal to go to the bathroom. Tips to keep body casts clean and dry and prevent skin irritation around the genital area include the following:

Use a diaper or sanitary napkin around the genital area to prevent leakage or splashing of urine.

Place toilet paper inside the bedpan to prevent urine from splashing onto the cast or bed.

Keep the genital area as clean and dry as possible to prevent skin irritation.

When to call your child's healthcare provider

Contact your child's healthcare provider if your child has any of these symptoms:

Fever (see “Fever and children” below)

Chills

Increased pain

Increased swelling above or below the cast

Decreased ability to move toes or fingers

Complaints of numbness or tingling

Drainage or bad odor from the cast

Cool or cold fingers or toes

The cast becomes wet or dirty

Blister, sores, or a rash develop under the cast

Fever and children

Always use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Never use a mercury thermometer.

For infants and toddlers, be sure to use a rectal thermometer correctly. A rectal thermometer may accidentally poke a hole in (perforate) the rectum. It may also pass on germs from the stool. Always follow the product maker’s directions for proper use. If you don’t feel comfortable taking a rectal temperature, use another method. When you talk to your child’s healthcare provider, tell him or her which method you used to take your child’s temperature.

Here are guidelines for fever temperature. Ear temperatures aren’t accurate before 6 months of age. Don’t take an oral temperature until your child is at least 4 years old.

Infant under 3 months old:

Ask your child’s healthcare provider how you should take the temperature.

Rectal or forehead (temporal artery) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

Armpit temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

Child age 3 to 36 months:

Rectal, forehead, or ear temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

Armpit (axillary) temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

Child of any age:

Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2 years old. Or a fever that lasts for 3 days in a child 2 years or older.

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